Ketamine, but not guanosine, as a prophylactic agent against corticosterone-induced depressive-like behavior: Possible role of long-lasting pro-synaptogenic signaling pathway
Experimental Neurology September 3, 2020 A. Camargo, A. P. Dalmagro, M. M. de Souza et al.
A single injection of ketamine given a week before stress prevented depressive-like behavior in mice, while guanosine did not. The stressor, corticosterone, reduced proteins linked to synapse health in the hippocampus, and ketamine blocked that reduction. Combining low doses of ketamine and guanosine partly prevented one measure of depressive-like behavior. Fluoxetine given for three weeks did not prevent the stress effects. The findings suggest ketamine's lasting protective effect against depression involves pro-synaptogenic signaling in the hippocampus.